Need some help with soldering iron tips

[Arthroscope]

This is probably about as far fetched a post as should be on an audio site but here goes. I need to get info regarding the metal used for the tips of soldering irons. I am surgeon doing humanitarian work in developing nations and the most common electro-cautery unit has been discontinued by the manufactor. In doing so the contact tips are not longer available. The replacement for this technology is a diode laser; a far superior machine but way too expensive for third world hospitals.

The tips look a lot like the ones used in the Weller 7205. We tried one of the tips from the Weller and it worked fairly well but we need different shapes. I have found a machine shop that can tool the part but don't know what type of steel is used. Metallurgy wasn't part of Med school.

Any help is appreciated . Fortunatly the regulatory bodies like the FDA are not as insular in foreign countries so if we something that works it will be fine. Regards to all.

 

[petehall347]

Soldering iron tips are made of copper core plated with iron. The copper is used for heat transfer and the iron plating is used for durability.

 

[45rpmspinner]

For your purposes, I would think you can skip the plating and just use copper.
Plating's only done to help keep the copper from melting into the solder.

 

[sanford12]

If they'll make them why not stainless

 

[avionic]

I would think that 316L stainless would be a must for for any piece of medical equipment.

 

[Wildcat]

I would think that 316L stainless would be a must for for any piece of medical equipment.

I wonder how it would affect the heat transfer.

 

[arts]

I wonder how it would affect the heat transfer.

Grab a hot pot and let us know

I would think that 316L stainless would be a must for for any piece of medical equipment.

Everything I have ever been involved with for ''contact'' medical equipment has been 18-8.

 

[avionic]

Everything I have ever been involved with for ''contact'' medical equipment has been 18-8.

I work in the veterinary bio manufacturing field. And 316 is what we use.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgical_stainless_steel

 

[arts]

I work in the veterinary bio manufacturing field. And 316 is what we use.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgical_stainless_steel

My products were intended for human use. What you use for Fido is of no concern to me.

 

[avionic]

18-8 has more iron content than 316L & 316LVM Surgical steel. Vet medical standards are the same as human.Key is reducing metallic contamination. This all falls under CGMP standards.

 

[usedto]

Something like this?

 

[avionic]

My products were intended for human use. What you use for Fido is of no concern to me.

And you don't think Dairy,Beef,Pork and Poultry is of any concern. Besides companion animals. Whatever dude.